Distribution Change For Metso Minerals

Third-party distribution arrangement reinforces drive for service excellence

Metso Minerals have made a major change to the distribution arrangements for part of their mobile crushing and screening equipment range in England and Wales. The construction and recycling (C&R) range of mobile crushers and screens is now being sold and supported exclusively through Leicestershire-based crushing and screening equipment specialists Central Crusher & Screening Systems Ltd, trading under the name Lokotrack Central.

The distribution agreement has been structured to service the C&R customer segment, while Metso Minerals UK Ltd will continue to supply crushing and screening equipment, wear protection products and mineral processing equipment to the major aggregate producers. The move is the latest step in an ongoing process designed to provide customers with tangible service excellence across the entire Metso product range.

As a result of the agreement, Leicestershire-based Lokotrack Central, run by joint managing directors Rob Brown and John Clark, are now responsible for the sale and support of all Lokotrack LT models from the LT95 track-mounted jaw crusher up to the LT300HP track-mounted cone crusher. Additionally, the company is responsible for wheel- and track-mounted screening plant from the Metso SW and ST ranges, together with the MS range of wheel-mounted mobile conveyors.

Outlining the reason for the change, Metso Minerals (UK) Ltd’s managing director, Dave Moon, said the decision to sell and support these specific models through third-party distribution was a reaction to a major shift in the contract crushing and recycling sectors.

‘An increasing number of track- and wheel-mounted products are being sold to crushing and screening contractors who demand very localized service and support akin to those provided by traditional mobile plant suppliers,’ he explained. ‘Furthermore, we have long recognized that our real expertise lies in the supply, support and service of large mobile and fixed plant installations.

‘By appointing Lokotrack Central as our exclusive distributor for England and Wales, we can provide our contracting customers with the levels of service and support that they expect, while allowing Metso Minerals (UK) Ltd to concentrate resources on its core business activities.’

Commenting on Lokotrack Central’s appointment, joint managing director John Clark said: ‘This appointment marries a premier brand to a premier sales and support network. Owners and operators of Metso Minerals LT, ST and SW products will now benefit from the levels of support and parts service that we have been delivering to our customers for many years.

‘Our priority is to minimize downtime and respond urgently to customer repair and maintenance requirements. Crushing and screening equipment involves serious capital investment so it must be kept running. We will be aiming to achieve same-day service, or the next day at the very least. The day after tomorrow is no longer good enough.’

Key to providing the required levels of support is Lokotrack Central’s network of 10 strategically located, fully mobile service engineers. These, in turn, are supported by a team of 40 support personnel, including seven workshop-based engineers, at the company’s parts and service centre in Sheffield.

‘Having achieved a service and spares turnover of more than £4 million in 2005, we know only too well the levels of service and the speed of response that is expected,’ added joint managing director Rob Brown. ‘That is why we have invested heavily in support systems and equipment at our Sheffield facility, including overhead craneage for fast turnaround crusher and screen repairs and refurbishments, a fleet of fully equipped service vans, and a parts holding valued in excess of £1.0 million.’